Overview

• The ruling front publicly defended NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair after reports of effigy burning and hoardings targeting him over his qualified support for the government’s Sabarimala policy.
• NSS leadership affirmed that its 300-member administrative body backs Nair’s stance and reiterated a doctrine of political equi-distance with issue-based engagement.
• Both the NSS and SNDP supported the Travancore Devaswom Board’s conclave at Pampa, where Nair praised the government’s approach to Sabarimala and criticized the Congress and BJP, as reported.
• Congress leaders disowned campaigns against Nair, yet key allies IUML and Kerala Congress voiced displeasure over delays in outreach to the NSS, complicating UDF coordination ahead of elections.
• The CPI(M) has broadened Hindu outreach, from the Ayyappa Sangamam to honors for Mata Amritanandamayi, while the UDF and BJP skipped the conclave even as a message from UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was read at the event.